Cardinals coach Arians: I was not going to let Logan Thomas fail

by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(3/27/15) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians still believes in young quarterback Logan Thomas. Arians didn't want to ruin his confidence last season after being forced into action with multiple injuries to Arizona quarterbacks, reports the team's website.

"He's going to get a ton of work and those reps are invaluable," Arians said. "Just in decision-making, how fast you're getting it out of your hand, where you're going with it, where you're going when 'one' and 'two' are still covered. Are you still scrambling around or are you going to find your outlets? That growth process comes strictly from reps."

Arians still has a plan for the second-year pro.

"We drafted him for two years from now, not November," Arians said. "It just so happened his number got called (earlier.) I was not going to let him fail (in San Francisco) because once you fail those scars never go away.

"It's very hard to get the guys back in the locker room if you cost them the playoffs. I just wasn't going to put him in that situation. Right or wrong, it just was my decision."

Report: Cardinals reverse course, will start QB Ryan Lindley

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(12/25/14) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has changed his mind and will start quarterback Ryan Lindley, not rookie Logan Thomas, in Sunday's game at San Francisco, reports the Arizona Republic. Lindley hit 18 of 44 throws for 216 yards with an interception in the Week 16 loss to Seattle. He has not thrown a touchdown in 225 career pass attempts.

Arians earlier said he'd play Thomas for at least the first half. But that was before Thomas failed to inspire confidence at Wednesday's practice.

Thomas has appeared in two games, completing 1 of 9 throws. Starter Drew Stanton (knee) is not expected to be ready until the playoffs.

Arizona remains a 6-point underdog Sunday.

'No plans on how long' QB Logan Thomas plays Sunday

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(12/25/14) After earlier saying Cardinals quarterback Logan Thomas would play at least the first half Sunday at San Francisco, coach Bruce Arians said there are "no plans on how long" the rookie will play, reports ESPN.com. Thomas will be making his first start after Ryan Lindley predictably flopped Week 16 against Seattle.

Thomas has appeared in two games, completing 1 of 9 passes. That completion was an 81-yard touchdown to running back Andre Ellington.

Quarterback Drew Stanton (knee) isn't expected to be ready until the playoffs, so Lindley is the only option behind Thomas. Lindley has zero touchdowns and eight interceptions in 225 career pass attempts. Arizona has not scored a touchdown in its past two games.

A 6-6, 250-pounder out of Virginia Tech, Thomas had a "shaky" start to Wednesday's practice before finishing "pretty strong," according to Arians.

Arizona is a 6-point underdog Sunday. The line opened at 4.5 before bettors pounced on the 49ers.

Despite their offensive struggles, the Cardinals can win the NFC West with a victory and a Seattle loss to the Rams.

Cardinals' Thomas starts practice 'shaky,' finishes 'pretty strong'

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(12/24/14) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians indicated that Week 17 starting quarterback Logan Thomas was "shaky" at the beginning of Wednesday's practice but finished "pretty strong" as he developed an understanding of where to throw his passes, ESPN.com reports.

"He's worked, fundamentally, extremely hard and gotten much better," Arians said. "But putting those fundamentals to use in the offense, that's two totally different things."

Thomas has just three days of practice before facing the 49ers in a game that has the possibility of landing his team with a first-round bye with a win and help from other results.

"It wasn't the greatest, but as it went on, it got better and better," Thomas added. "It just comes with reps and comes with time."

"He's going to practice some this week and we'll see how it goes," Arians said, via ESPN.com. "Do not plan on playing him this week unless it's absolutely necessary."

Rookie quarterback Logan Thomas will play at least the first half of the regular-season finale at San Francisco, Arians said, with Ryan Lindley available to relieve him. Arizona opened as a 4.5-point underdog, then the line moved to 6.

The Cardinals likely will enter the playoffs as a wildcard and play on the first weekend of January. Arizona needs Stanton (7 TDs, 5 INTs) to have a realistic chance of jumpstarting its offense.

The Cardinals drafted quarterback Logan Thomas in the fourth round of the NFL Draft from Virginia Tech, and he could be their quarterback of the future. Thomas fits the mold of what coach Bruce Arians likes in a quarterback with his size (6-foot-5) and big arm. But he’s a project based on his career with the Hokies since he completed just 55.5 percent of his passes and had 53 touchdowns compared to 39 interceptions. Thomas will sit behind Carson Palmer for the foreseeable future, so he has minimal Fantasy value in seasonal leagues. But in deep dynasty formats he could be worth a late-round pick with the hope he takes over for Palmer potentially in 2016 when his contract expires.
(Updated 5/22/14)